Gayle was born in Oak Harbor, Washington on March 30, 1943, to Ruth and Johannes Christensen and died on August 31, 2023, at the age of 80 years old.
Gayle was raised on the family farm east of Oak Harbor where she learned a strong work ethic early in life. She attended Oak Harbor schools until her High School graduation in 1961. Her parents and other Danish relatives were founding charter members of the Oak Harbor Lutheran Church. Gayle worked many part-time jobs during her school years, but always maintained good grades and participated in many extracurricular activities, developing her leadership skills.
After High School graduation she relocated to Seattle to work and attend Business School. She met her future husband, Charles W. Glass at Dun & Bradstreet, where they were both employed. After their marriage, she began employment at Pemco Financial Services, where she progressed upwards through management to Vice President of Human Resources. Gayle retired from Pemco after 37 years of dedicated service. She remained on two of Pemco’s Board of Directors She was active in numerous business and service organizations. She consistently worked through the chairs of these organizations, to Board and officer positions, during her career in Seattle. After her retirement from Pemco, she remained on two of their Boards of Directors. Her most cherished position was on the Pemco Foundation Board, which awards education scholarships to needy and less fortunate students.
Gayle traveled extensively, meeting her goal of experiencing all the Seven Wonders of the World. She never met a stranger that didn’t become a friend and she learned something new from each and everyone she met along life’s path. Her love of cats and flowers, in that order, were paramount in her life. She actively supported many animal charities and adopted a physically challenged cat among the many that “owned her” over her lifetime. She returned to her Whidbey Island roots and family, and became active in several areas. Her Homeowners Association, Garden and Genealogy Clubs. Her “bucket” list got smaller in later years, as her health diminished. She never wanted to live safe, she wanted to live full. She would want you to remember “age wrinkles the body, but quitting wrinkles the soul”. It was a good death because she had a good life.
She was predeceased by her parents, and her brother Curtis Roger. She leaves two brothers, Arliss and Roger Christensen, their families, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Her lifelong friend and “wasband” Chuck Glass and many dear friends. And, of course, her “buddy” Jack Frost. Life may change us, but we start and end with family.
Funeral services will be held at the Oak Harbor Lutheran Church in Oak Harbor, WA on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 commencing at 9:30am followed by graveside burial at the family plot at the Maple Leaf Cemetery at 12pm. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Wallin Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to your favorite animal charity in Gayle’s memory.
